NAGORNO-KARABAKH’S DEEP DIVIDE
A EurasiaNet Photo Essay by Daniel Gerstle: 7/16/04

Nagorno-Karabakh is arguably the most intractable of all the conflicts that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union. [For background see the EurasiaNet Insight archive]. International efforts to broker a lasting peace have focused mainly on pressing the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a political compromise. But another serious obstacle, one that hasn’t received much attention, is connected with public attitudes; the lack of contact among Armenians and Azeris. Feelings of mutual hostility have reached a point where many on both sides believe the chances are slim that a future settlement leads to the reintegration. The images in this photo essay attempt to explore the popular mood in Karabakh.

The Karabakh War, which lasted from 1988-1994, left over 25,000 people dead and caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azeris and Armenians. Since the declaration of a ceasefire, there has been virtually no inter-ethnic communication on the local level. Most teenagers on both sides of the frontline cannot recall ever having a conversation with a member of the opposite ethnic community. In the words of journalist Thomas de Wall -- author of Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War, a history of the Karabakh conflict – Armenians and Azeris have become "hermetically sealed off" from each other.

Recent visits with families, veterans, and soldiers on both sides confirmed the existence of a deep public divide. People in the region have nearly identical views about the conflict, except that the "bad-guy" role is played by those of the opposing ethnicity. [For background see the EurasiaNet Insight archive].

Pensioners tend to comment most on existing economic hardships, recalling that living standards were much better during the Soviet era. Meanwhile, those who fought in the conflict often recount war stories – some involving survival against overwhelming odds. The strongest opinions are, not so surprisingly, expressed by young boys and soldiers who have few memories from before the conflict. They are the primary consumers of more extreme views shared in political media and teahouse conversations—that their ethnic group narrowly survived what is perceived as an attempted genocide. They also believe that only enforced separation from the other group can protect their families from an on-going threat.

It is clear that for any eventual peace deal to work, far-reaching and enduring programs to restore mutual trust between Armenians and Azeris will be needed.

Editor’s Note: Daniel J Gerstle is a Summer Research Fellow covering the Caucasus and Central Asia for the Harriman Institute and the Center for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.

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Posted July 16, 2004 © Eurasianet
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